Please be advised the water testing program for the presence of lead in drinking water has been completed in all seven of our schools and in the Board of Education Offices. Please review the letter below for detailed information regarding the test results.

Montville
Township Public Schools

Lead in Water Testing Results

May 31, 2017

Dear
Parents & Staff:

As
you may be aware, districtwide sampling of the water in all seven
schools and the Board of Education offices took place on Saturday, May 6,
2017. Results of the testing were received today and will be posted on the
district website this afternoon.

The
water sampling procedure was carried out by Agra Environmental and Laboratory
Services in accordance with the technical guidance that was provided by the
State of New Jersey. All drinking water and food preparation outlets were
tested. All of the samples in Cedar Hill, Hilldale, Valley View, William
Mason, Woodmont and Lazar Middle School tested below the lead action level
established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for lead in drinking
water (15 µg/l [ppb]).

At MTHS there was one sample that tested above the lead
action level - the drinking fountain in the Wrestling Gym. This fountain has
been temporarily disabled until remedial measures can be completed.

At the Board of Education Office, the two fountains at
the main entrance also tested above the lead action level. These fountains
have been disabled. Bottled water is available in the kitchen area.

Our school system is committed to protecting student, teacher, and staff
health. To protect our community and be in compliance with the Department of
Education regulations, the Montville Township School Districttested our
schools' drinking water for lead.

In
accordance with the Department of Education regulations, the Montville
Township School District will implement immediate remedial measures for any
drinking water outlet with a result greater than the action level of 15 µg/l
(parts per billion [ppb]). This includes turning off the outlet unless it is
determined the location must remain on for non-drinking purposes. In these
cases, a "DO NOT DRINK - SAFE FOR HANDWASHING ONLY" sign will be
posted.

Results of our Testing

Following
instructions given in technical guidance developed by the New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection, we completed a plumbing profile for
the Montville Township High School. Through this effort, we identified and
tested all drinking water and food preparation outlets.

Of the 29 samples taken at MTHS, all but 1 tested below
the lead action level established by the US Environmental Protection Agency
for lead in drinking water (15 µg/l [ppb]).

Of the 3 samples taken, all but 2 tested below the lead
action level established by the US Environmental Protection Agency for lead
in drinking water (15 µg/l [ppb]).

The
tables below identify the drinking water outlets that tested above the 15
µg/l for lead, the actual lead level, and what temporary remedial action the
Montville Township School Districthas taken to reduce the levels of lead at
these locations.

In
the coming weeks, we will be working on solutions to maintain a reduced lead
level in these areas and conduct follow up testing. Only after appropriate
remedial measures have been completed and follow up testing completed, will
the drinking water locations be placed back into service.

Montville Township High
School

Sample Location

First Draw Result in µg/l (ppb)

Remedial Action

Wresting Gym

Fountain Chiller Drinking Fountain

MHS-FC-Wrestling Gym-02

49.3

Disconnected Drinking Fountain Placed barrier preventing
usage.

Additional Water Fountains in Area.

Montville Township Board
of Education Offices

Sample Location

First Draw Result in µg/l (ppb)

Remedial Action

Front Lobby Entrance Left

Fountain Chiller
Drinking Fountain
BOE-FC-Lobby-01

35.2

Disconnected Drinking Fountain, Water Fountain has been
removed.

Bottled water
dispensers are provided

Front Lobby Entrance Left

Fountain Chiller
Drinking Fountain
BOE-FC-Lobby-01

50.1

Disconnected Drinking Fountain, Water Fountain have been
removed.

Bottled water dispensers are provided.

Health Effects of Lead

High levels of lead in drinking water can cause health
problems. Lead is most dangerous for pregnant women, infants, and children
under 6 years of age. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys, and can
interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all
parts of your body. Exposure to high levels of lead during pregnancy
contributes to low birth weight and developmental delays in infants. In young
children, lead exposure can lower IQ levels, affect hearing, reduce attention
span, and hurt school performance. At very high levels, lead can even
cause brain damage. Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can
be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults.

How Lead Enters our Water

Lead is unusual among drinking water contaminants in that
it seldom occurs naturally in water supplies like groundwater, rivers and
lakes. Lead enters drinking water primarily as a result of the corrosion, or
wearing away, of materials containing lead in the water distribution system
and in building plumbing. These materials include lead-based solder used to
join copper pipe, brass, and chrome-plated brass faucets. In 1986, Congress banned
the use of lead solder containing greater than 0.2% lead, and restricted the
lead content of faucets, pipes and other plumbing materials. However, even
the lead in plumbing materials meeting these new requirements is subject to
corrosion. When water stands in lead pipes or plumbing systems containing
lead for several hours or more, the lead may dissolve into the drinking
water. This means the first water drawn from the tap in the morning may contain
fairly high levels of lead.

Lead in Drinking Water

Lead
in drinking water, although rarely the sole cause of lead poisoning can
significantly increase a person's total lead exposure, particularly the
exposure of children under the age of 6. EPA estimates that drinking water
can make up 20% or more of a person's total exposure to lead.

For More Information

A
copy of the test results is available in our central office at each school
for inspection by the public, including students, teachers, other school
personnel, and parents, and can be viewed between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and
4:00 p.m. The results are also available on our website at www.montville.net.
For more information about water quality in our schools, contact Mr. Steven
Toth, Facilities Manager at 973-331-7100 ext. 2232.

For
more information on reducing lead exposure around your home and the health
effects of lead, visit EPA's Web site at www.epa.gov/lead,
call the National Lead Information Center at 800-424-LEAD, or contact your
health care provider.

If
you are concerned about lead exposure at our school facilities or in your
home, you may want to ask your health care providers about testing children
to determine levels of lead in their blood.